THE EGMONT SEAT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1536, 4 September 1912, Page 10

THE EGMONT SEAT.

MR. WILKINSON'S CAMPAIGN. SPEECH AT ELTHAM. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, the Keform candidate for the Egmoiit spat at the approaching by-olection, delivered liis first speech at Kltham on Friday evening last, before a large attendance of the electors. The Mayor of Elthnm (Mr. T. 13. Crmnp) pipvided, nnd the candidate received an i-xcvllpiit hearing (luring his speech, and in meeting the occasional fire of goodhumoured interjectors, was in his best form, his rejoinders being pointed and effective.

In opening, Mr. Wilkinson congratulated the Government upon its selection of the Hon. T. Mackenzie for the High Conimissionership. A groat political revolution, he proceeded, had taken place throughout the Dominion during the last few months. For twenty-one jVoars the country had been governed, or rather misgovorned, by the so-called .Liberal party, which had lately been thrown from office. During this election the country would hv watching Egmont closely and the decision the people of that electorate came to would have a great effect upon politics throughout the Dominion.

Borrowing. When he stood before tho electors in 1908 on that occasion he was a resolute opponent of the Seddon-Ward party. Among tho reforms ho then advocated was the 'curtailment of borrowing. The borrowing policy of the Government had simply run riot, and since 1008 it had gone faster than over—so fast, indeed that the indebtedness was appalling. Within the next six years 23 millions of- loan money had to be repaid. Not only had this large sum of money to be found, but very probably—it was practically a certainty—that 'money would have to be borrowed up to keep the country going. This would entitle Mr. Allen (Minister for Finance) to all the help the people of New Zealand could give him, by refraining from asking for too much expenditure in their respective districts. It was well known that money had increased in price. The last loan which was raised by the late Mackenzie Administration cost 5 per cent., and was only for two years.

Against Waste. When he faced th<> electors previously ho also argued for the establishing of sinking funds. It- was then the policy to raise loans at the lowest rate of interest procurable, and simply go on putting nothing by for repayment. When he advocated tiiis scheme it was, regarded as a dream. Since then it had been mado law, and was a very good law. He had also argued for economy of administration. One thing must'be prevented at all costs, and that was waste. He. did not stand for low wages, but a certain amount of saving could bo effected in other ways by ipreventing waste. He had been instrumental in effecting a great saving in connection with one local body, and at tjio same time increased tho efficiency of tho employees. He wished the workers who were in his audience to understand that he did not stand for cutting down wages; that would not como about.

The Land Question, He was an advocate of the bare majority on the licensing issues, though not personally a Prohibitionist. He advocated the freehold tenure of land; it waa the best system, and the present Government was going to deal with ,it firmly and strongly; they were not going to tinker with it. The Bill now beforo the House provided for the acquiring of land tor settlement under the deferred .payment system'—the old system under which the bulk of the land ia Taranaki was acquired —an easy system of deferred payments which in time enabled a man to own lus own freehold. In 1008 he had objected to tho rotten system of land valuation. It was a rotten system then, and was rotten now, because it depended upon tho selling value of the land.

A Tilt at His Opponent. ■ Referring to his opponent's (Mr. Astbury) utterances on tho freehold tenure question. Mr. Wilkinson said that when Mr. Astbury addressed an Kltham audience he pierely referred to the 999 years' lease svstem on tho land "ttesnon. ilo considered Mr. Astbury .had failed in his duty by not giving an opinion in rcgnrd to this important question. It was one of tho most important matters Parliament had to deal with. When it came to a question of land there was the aspect of taxation to consider, and he wanted to impress upon farmers present the need for watchfulness in this respect. Ho quoted from Mr. Astbury's speeches showing him a leasehold advocate in 1899, freehold in 1908, and a supporter'of the 999 years' lease in 1912. On the question of taxation, Mr. Astbury stated at Hawera that he would reduce certain Customs taxes, and mako good the deficiency by abolishing the .£SOO exemption and if this were not sufficient he would then increase the land tax by 25 per cent. It was said that land was now overloaded, but he. farmer though he was, said it was not bearing its just proportion of taxes. That was'a very drastic statement, which the farmers present ehould consider. At Eltham in 1908 ■ hie. opponent had stated that he would always support legislation taxing land and decreasing indirect taxation. Farmers and others who owned land generally had enough , taxes to pay, but if they wanted' to pay more they should send his opponent to Parliament. , Opunakl Railway. Mr. Wilkinson went very fully into the Opunako railway question. His opinion had always been for the shortest route, the cheapest route, and the route that would carry the greatest amount of traffic. He agreed with tho report of the Commission on the Te Roti route. There was nothing very much wrong with the reserved route, and he did not think the Elthain people would bo wise to advocate getting tho line to their town, as that would perhaps start others on the same scheme and the probability was that the line would not be constructed at all. He contrasted the attitude of Mr. Astbury in changing his views to suit his altered circumstances with his' own stand, and eventually advocating tho Neil Eoad, Kaponga arid Chiselhur.st route. "He has a new scheme even- time," said Mr. Wilkinson. As to railway construction generally, he would push ahead the Strat-ford-Auckland line.

In Conclusion. Mr. Wilkinson referred to his services to tho ratepayers of Eltham while on the Harbour Board, in the saving of many thousands of pounds in rates. He was mainly instrumental' in preventing the construction of a biff wharf and breakwater, the wholo facts of which he would be pleased to deal with in private, as it w,is a matter that could not be publicly referred to. He hoped he would have tho opportunity of serving them as well nnd faithfully in another place later. (Loud applause.) In 1908 he polled over 1000 votes, and by that had been made possible the present candidature. TTo thanked all who hiul voted for him then, nnd trusted they would still assist him. Tn going to Parliament ho had no axe to grind. It was no benefit to him, Irat be felt it his plain duty to offer his services.

After nnswerinp various questions, the candidato was accorded a hearty vole of thanks.

ADDRESS AT OPUNAKE. ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING. (I!r r«lecraoli.—Sn«cfal CorrosDondontl Opunake, Septomber .1. A political address wa= Riven by Mr. Wilkinson, the Government candidate for Eginnnt, at Opunake last nicfht. About two liundred people were present. Mr. W. ("'. Dudley presided. Tho candiiliiio was ijiven ;i Rood hearinß, ond whs applauded throushoiit. ■ . . After nnsweriiiß questions, a motion was ])ropos«(l accordinpr the candidate a vote of thanks'and confidence. An amendment of I'hniiks nnly was also moved. Onlynl''.iut •■ix supportflcl the amemlnyjiit, mid a foresl; of bands went up for Hie niniinn, which was drelnrwl carried, amidst cc;isiderablo enthusiasm and prolonged ai>plauso. Opunake bas always been ns n strong Opposition district. Thp voting ni tlio Inst election was: Mackenzie 2-16, Dive 105.